By Jerome Lagunzad
Filipino MMA fighter Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado aims to boost his stock for a possible title shot at the ONE strawweight world championship title as he takes on Thai prospect Kritsada Kongsrichai tonight in the ONE: Spirit of a Warrior at the Thuwunna Indoor Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar.
The 5-foot-8 Miado, sporting a 7-2 win-loss record, will come in with enough confidence after scoring an impressive first-round technical knockout victory over former ONE strawweight titleholder Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke last March.
And that fact is not lost on Kongsrichai, who will also try to prove that he has already moved on from a heartbreaking loss to Filipino counterpart Robin Catalan last March after ONE Championship’s top brass revoked a TKO win and overturned it due to an illegal wrestling move.
“Jeremy is a good striker. He knocked out a legend in Muay Thai like Dejdamrong three months ago. It’s going to be tough for me,” said Kongsrichai. “But I believe in my ability. I will do my best. I’m ready for Jeremy both physically and mentally.”
To regain his confidence, Kongsrichai, 26, participated in the recently-concluded Thailand Wrestling Championship that saw him extend his dominance by winning the gold medal for the 14th consecutive year.
“I am so happy that I won the gold medal. It is the ultimate assurance to myself that my competitive spirit is on the right track,” said the Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand native.
Now that he has shifted his focus back on mixed martial arts, Kongsrichai is doing all he can to put himself in the best shape possible and take another step closer to his ultimate goal of vying for the coveted title which was once held by compatriot Amnuaysirichoke.
“Training is, as usual, very tough. We are drilling very hard each and every day. I am still working on all areas, be it my striking or my grappling. I want to win this for the people who supported me in my heart-rending loss last March,” he vowed.